I have always experienced disability pride month through my (disabling) autism. Until this year. Last year the pain in my joints and tissue that I occasionally had and got used to grew so bad that I couldn't leave the house and was forced to use a cane to even get to my mail box. It's gotten a bit better, but I still have to manage my energy, and plan every day around the pain. So this year, when I came across your post of being angry and grieving your disability and not proud of it - I felt seen. This disability "pride" month I'm just sad, exhausted and angry, and want someone to acknowledge that it will never be easy to live with disabilities.
Anon, I see you.
It's exhausting. It's not fair. You have every right to be angry and sad β I am. I believe the language of 'pride' is not helpful.
I have nothing to offer you except solidarity. You are not alone. I am alongside you in your grief and your struggles. So thank you for sharing, because I'm also a bit less alone now too.
